It's been a rough week and I'm only in the middle of it however for about 45 minutes today, I had the privilege of spending some time in this room.
It was a place of incredible peace.
There was a hint of the woodsmoke I recall from those days spent in the safety of a happy childhood but sweetly scented.
The silence was so thick, so dense, so peaceful it seeed to caress my skin but without suffocating me. I sat there for ages trying to think of how to describe it.
It was stunning.
It made me think about Buddhism and whether there was a way for me to escape to this room of meditation on a regular basis.
Then it was back to the real world and I was late every where on an impossible schedule. Heading out again soon, just touching base with my 5-minute-meditation room here at the blog.
I left New Zealand mid-2003, bound for Istanbul and a new lif. After two years, a Belgian guy lured me into his world, deep in the heart of Europe. For a long time I was an in-process immigrant. One day we married. These days it's about photography, a little red wine and wandering ... and so the journey goes.
Buddhism is so inspiring and relaxing. We should all opt to become buddhists. Or maybe not. You are free to chose. :D
ReplyDeleteIndeed you are ...
ReplyDeleteCan one be a bit of a Buddhist? K has read many books on Buddhism and has a Buddhist soul, even if he doesn't formally practice...
ReplyDeleteDitto Granola-grrrl
Amazing shots from a place that makes one forget the neverending noise of Antwerp.
ReplyDeleteI wonder Di, is it hard to get inside? I assume they're not really open to the public - I can already imagine busloads of tourists messing with that incredible silence.
I'm an Antwerp native but had no idea this place existed (whoops ;-)
Hmmmmm.. looks like a bunch of pies on dinner trays..... hmmm piiiiiiie :)
ReplyDeletePerhaps one can be, v-grrrl. I loved that room so much!
ReplyDeleteThat was the stunning thing, Peter. I couldn't hear anything outside and I guess Schoten is far enough away from motorways and mayhem.
We should find out how difficult it is to wander in over there. I would love to go regularly. I'll try and ask the guy who organised it - remind me when we meet next week. I need nagged some, as life has been crazy this week :)
Mark ... that was mean! As you know, Jimmys pies are the food most missed by Jessie and I over here ... the other night I was out in the city with a kiwi, drinking and eating and things and imagine, she said 'What I wouldn't give for a pie about now'.
Sigh ... piessssssssssssss.